Bad diet rich in saturated fats, sugar, and salt, smoking and drinking alcohol, too much or not enough physical exercise, bad hygiene (especially not washing your hands well), stress and lack of having fun and relaxation have a negative impact on our immune system.
Blood tests.
Blood tests can determine if you have typical levels of infection-fighting proteins (immunoglobulins) in your blood and measure the levels of blood cells and immune system cells. Having numbers of certain cells in your blood that are outside of the standard range can indicate an immune system defect.
You can collect your Immune Health blood sample using a simple and accurate finger-prick blood home test kit, clinic visit or home nurse visit. Your blood contains numerous components that serve vital functions including carrying oxygen, fighting infection and clotting wounds.
Why Some People Evade Colds And Others Don't People who have built up immunity to common viruses are less likely to get sick. But researchers say it's also possible some people are genetically less susceptible to catching a common cold.
Asthma, familial Mediterranean fever and Crohn's disease (inflammatory bowel disease) all result from an over-reaction of the immune system, while autoimmune polyglandular syndrome and some facets of diabetes are due to the immune system attacking 'self' cells and molecules.
Vitamins B6, C and E are all known for their immune-boosting properties. You can get all of these vitamins from a well-balanced diet, so you don't need supplements. Some foods rich in these vitamins include eggs, bell peppers, spinach and almonds.
Research suggests that, on average, each individual picks up around 200 colds in their lifetime. But some people seemingly never get ill and don't take their fair share of the sickness pie.
So your body has responded but you haven't ended up with a full blown cold or you haven't been laid out sick for a number of days or weeks. So this would be a sign of a healthy immune response, but a person who doesn't get sick at all is not necessarily a healthy response.
Once kids get older and are able to practice hand hygiene, the number of colds they'll get tends to go down to about four to six times per year, Esper continued. "And by the time you're an adult, it's about two to three times a year."
You're Overexposed to the Cold Virus
There are over 200 known viruses that can cause the common cold. So even if you've had a cold before, your immune system probably hasn't built up defenses against every virus strain that can lead to a cold. Another reason could be that you're around a lot of people who are sick.
Immune disorder
There are different types of immune disorders. Sometimes people are born with a weak immune system, called primary immune deficiency. If you contract an illness that weakens your immune system, it's called acquired immune deficiency.
Chronic stress or sleep deprivation are factors that can often cause people to keep getting sick. Although simple lifestyle changes are sometimes enough to improve these issues, this is not always the case. Frequently getting sick can be disruptive as well as uncomfortable.
Some people are simply more susceptible to getting sick than others. Lifestyle choices, environment, genetics, and age play key roles in determining immunity. Even if you cannot entirely control your immune system, fostering healthy habits might help protect you against infections.
Regularly going for a walk or taking a bike ride can benefit your immune system by helping immune cells to perform effectively — increasing blood flow, reducing stress and inflammation, and strengthening antibodies.
Vitamin D is essential for bone health as well as muscle and nerve functions. Vitamin D also helps the immune system fight off bacteria and viruses. See more.